The week after E3 is one of reflection. The 3DS hasn't left the top of most gamers' minds, and most are still incredibly amped for the new console. However, now that we've thought about it a few things have struck us as peculiar about the new handheld.
First, one of the original DS's biggest game franchises was the Brain Age series. Of course, Brain Age was the brain-training game that was advertised as a way to exercise the mind by doing slightly complicated tasks for a small amount of time each day. It became a huge part of Nintendo's "Touch Generation" series, which was aimed at older gamers.
But will it translate to the 3DS? Read More

Well, since The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks comes out this Sunday night/Monday morning (at Nintendo World, anyway), I thought a good Week-Ending Game Ending would be to have Phantom Hourglass lead into the new title.
But, despite all the piracy, hacks, emulators, ROMs, and whatever else, it seems that there is absolutely no good video (that I can find) of the end of the game. So instead, we'll dial it back a little further and check out its prequel, Wind Waker, instead:
More after the cut. Read More

As Nintendo tends to do, they will be holding an early midnight launch for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks at the Nintendo World Store from 12am to 2am on Monday, December 7th. Those who purchase the game will get a free feather stylus while supplies last, and will also get 10% off all additional Zelda merchandise purchased during the launch. In addition, there will also be a Zelda costume contest for prizes. Read More

It seems now as though a day does not go by that the overseer of The Legend of Zelda series, Eiji Aonuma, does not give an interview. Once Spirit Tracks is out, however, I'm sure we will hear little more than a few peeps from him before E3. But for now, here is his video interview with IGN:
More The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks Info
Some notes, for those unable to view it, await after the cut. Read More

In the 23 years that The Legend of Zelda series has existed, we've seen it all: Link's transformation to a wolf, Link controlling the time continuum, and even Link being the conductor of a train. If you think about it, what hasn't Link done yet? Flight.
In a recent interview with The Guardian, a British publication, Eiji Aonuma, director of the Zelda franchise, gave an interesting response to a comment made by his own son:
"I have an eight-year-old son myself at home, and quite recently he started playing The Phantom Hourglass for DS, because when the software first hit the market he was too young. When he started playing with the boat, I told him: 'In the next Zelda, you are going to be able to ride on the train.' He answered: 'OK, Dad, first boat, and then train? Surely next time, Link is going to fly in the sky ... "
He grins and replies:
"I just don't know. If many people make many speculations ... some of them might be correct. Right now, I have to refrain from commenting on anything."
Before you begin fantasizing, keep in mind that this isn't official. However, it wouldn't be surprising -- Link has already conquered land, sea, and rail; all that remains is sky. Read More

Lot of new stuff for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks today. New images of multiplayer await in the gallery, while right here you can see some video footage, courtesy of Wired Game|Life:
In addition, there are more details and two ads from the UK after the cut. Read More

We've got a nice heaping helping of Zelda goodness for you today, and at the top of the list are the seventeen new images added to our gallery for The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, which includes the above image. Nothing has been confirmed, but I think we can safely say that this picture rather heavily implies the return of some Four Swords-styled gameplay for Spirit Tracks' multiplayer. And who knows? Maybe people will get a chance to really play it this time.
Hit the cut to go to the gallery, check out some Japanese gameplay videos, and see Aonuma's explanation for making Zelda sorta-playable. Read More

Just as they did for New Super Mario Bros. Wii, the UK's Official Nintendo Magazine is playing host to some questions and answers about the upcoming holiday hit for the Nintendo DS, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks.
Of particular note are some answers regarding plot elements and how the game connects to other Zelda series installments, but at the same time, they try to answer such questions about the story without actually giving anything away. They also answer questions about controls, difficulty, and whether or not it makes better use of the DS hardware.
Of particular note, they say that it "absolutely" feels like a sequel to Phantom Hourglass, "in both tone and feel," and while it's not the best handheld Zelda, "it is better than Phantom Hourglass."
You can check out the full Q&A here. Read More

While the full details behind The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks were finally blown out last night, some story segments were still left a mystery.
Well, thanks to some new details (compiled by GoNintendo) we have a full idea of what to expect in the latest installment of one of Nintendo's premiere franchises. Since there's spoilers aplenty, all is posted after the cut, so beware. Read More

Last night, GameTrailers TV was at Nintendo of America's headquarters to check out their upcoming releases for the holiday season, check up on some other releases we've heard little about since E3, and chat for a bit with NoA President Reggie Fils-Aime and EAD General Manager Shigeru Miyamoto.
You can check all that out, along with the accompanying footage, here:
For those who can't (or just don't want to) view the video, we have recaps of what was said after the cut. Read More

Remember back in 2007 when Nintendo gave a special feather stylus to those avid Zelda fans who pre-ordered Phantom Hourglass? It seems history does in fact repeat itself, as Nintendo is doing this again, only this time with the upcoming Zelda game for DS, Spirit Tracks.
According to Kotaku, anyone who pre-orders Spirit Tracks in Japan will receive the special stylus. Sadly, this gift is apparently Japan-exclusive at the moment. Perhaps Nintendo will soon announce a similar promotion for North America and/or Europe.
The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is due for release in North America on December 7th, and the 11th for Europe; Japanese players will have to wait a bit longer, as it is released there on the 23rd. Read More

During the aforementioned question and answer session with Nintendo EAD General Manager Shigeru Miyamoto, the creator of Mario and Zelda (among others) took a little time to speak out about the latter creation. Specifically, he talked a bit about the challenge players should expect to find in December's release, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, as well as some further hints of what is in store for the next Wii iteration of the series. Read More

It seems that a lot of information surrounding the upcoming Nintendo DS holiday release, The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks, is finally starting to surface.
From the top: GoNintendo reports that the image seen at right (click to enlarge slightly) is the packshot for the European release. And truth be told, I would really not expect much change for the North American release, either.
It is a nice image of Link riding through the countryside on the eponymous tracks, but perhaps more interesting is Zelda's presence alongside him. Hopefully, this might be indicative a situation in which she isn't a captive for nearly the entirety of the game for a change. Do we dare to hope? Read More